The Charity Retail Association’s (CRA) awards at its annual conference once again included a prize for most unusual item, which this year was a live cat.

Monday night’s awards ceremony saw a range of awards given out in more conventional categories such as charity shop volunteer of the year, best shop team, and most profitable shop.
 
But perhaps the highlight of the night was when the most unusual item donated was given to the All Aboard charity shop in Finchley Road, North London, for its live cat, dubbed NikNik.

The story went that after his owner passed away, her daughter donated the feline to the shop explaining that her mother had been a long-time supporter and that NikNik – although he had received all of his injections – was “not streetwise” and needed a good home.

Runners-up for the award included an enema kit from the 1900s, a stuffed tortoise and a pole dancing pole.

Delegates at the CRA conference also had a successful year on the high street to celebrate, with the Association estimating the £220m raised by charity shops to be the highest ever.